The United States has reinstated sanctions on Russian oil after the administration of Donald Trump allowed a temporary exemption to expire over the weekend without renewing it.
Although the U.S. Department of the Treasury did not issue an official statement, the waiver introduced on 12 March was intended as a temporary measure. Its expiration has automatically restored sanctions on Russian oil shipments covered under the license.
At the same time, Washington is preparing to end a similar exemption for Iran. According to the Treasury, a 30-day authorization allowing the sale of Iranian oil held at sea will expire on 19 April and will not be extended.
U.S. authorities have also signaled a tougher stance toward Tehran, warning of the use of “the full range of financial tools,” including secondary sanctions targeting foreign banks that support Iranian activities.
The move comes amid domestic political pressure, with Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Chuck Schumer, and Elizabeth Warren urging the administration not to renew the waiver, arguing that Russia was financially benefiting during the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Experts have previously criticized any easing of sanctions, warning it could strengthen Moscow without changing its behavior in the war.
U.S. energy sanctions on Russia were first imposed in March 2022 following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the latest decision signals a renewed economic pressure campaign on Moscow amid ongoing global tensions.
